How Much Does Steel Roofing Cost?

More often, homeowners are choosing metal roofing options over asphalt. Metal is more durable, weather and fire-resistant, long-lasting, and eco-friendly. It’s also widely considered a more visually appealing roofing option.

Among the types of metal roofing, steel is one of the most common. In addition to lasting for several decades in good condition, it is usually coated in zinc as protection from corrosion. It is also able to hold durable paint finishes, which gives homeowners several aesthetic options. Considering its benefits, steel roofing is reasonably priced—but it’s still far more expensive than asphalt roofing. If you’re unsure about whether or not steel roofing is right for your home, here’s a helpful cost breakdown to help you decide.

Types of Steel Roofing

The style you choose determines the price, the look, the materials needed, and the installation process. The most common types of steel roofing include:

Standing seam

Standing seam is characterized by vertical panels with interlocking seams, which are protected by raised fasteners. Each panel extends from the peak to the eaves. Due to its availability, this is the most popular type of steel roofing. It will cost you about $4.00 to $6.50 per square foot.

Steel Shingles

A standing seam steel roof has a very unique aesthetic. Steel shingles or tiles, on the other hand, are shaped like traditional asphalt shingles. They give you the benefits of metal roofing while making less of a visual statement. Steel shingles will cost you around $3 to $9 per square foot. If you choose stone-coated steel tiles, you can get the look of clay or slate with the durability of metal. This will cost you about $1.00 more per square foot than regular steel tiles.

Corrugated steel

If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to opt for corrugated steel, which will run you about $1.20 to $5 per square foot. However, when you consider the fact that metal roofing is an investment that should last you a lifetime, corrugated steel becomes less appealing; it’s vulnerable to leaks and rust, and simply doesn’t match the quality of the other options listed above.

Cost Factors to Consider

The materials only make up a portion of the cost. When it comes to estimating a total for this project, consider the following:

Roof area and configuration

There’s really no such thing as a “good guess” on roofing costs without knowing the roof area. You can look up average costs until you’re blue in the face, but if you rely on that to determine the ultimate price tag you could find yourself disappointed or even shocked down the road. Measure your roof area, and take account unique features that could complicate the installation process.

Installation

It would be a shame to invest in quality materials only to get sub-par installation. Metal roof installation is not an area in which every roofing contractor has expertise, so make sure to call around and find someone with the right technical knowledge and experience. Take into account that this aspect of the project will add to your materials cost.

Coating

You can choose between galvanized (or G90) steel, which is zinc-coated for protection, or the more expensive galvalume steel, which is coated in both zinc and aluminum for ultimate corrosion protection. You also have your choice of colors as well as what type of stone coating you want if that’s the direction you go. This element will also affect the price.

Tear-off and other labor

In some circumstances, a steel roof can be installed over an existing roof. But if this is not the case, you will need to pay to have the old roof removed and disposed of before installation can begin. Make sure to leave room in your budget for unexpected repairs, extra materials, or necessary evaluations.

Other Helpful Facts

You may already know about the advantages of steel roofing, including how it can help your home be more energy efficient by reflecting sunlight. But in case you’ve also heard about the negatives, here are a few myths that just aren’t true:

Steel roofs are vulnerable to lightning

Metal conducts electricity, but electricity is not drawn to it. Lightning is more likely to strike a nearby tree or pole than your roof. The fire-resistant nature of metal roofing would likely make your steel roof even safer than asphalt.

Steel roofs are loud

Old-timey tin roofs have a poetic tendency to amplify the sound of raindrops, but on modern homes there is a layer of attic insulation and, in some cases, a whole layer of older roofing underneath it.

Call experienced contractors near you to find out more information on which type of steel roofing is best for your home and how much it will cost.

Hannah West is the author of a young adult novel, Kingdom of Ash and Briars, debuting in fall 2016. Her freelance writing resume covers everything from addiction treatment to fashion, but she is especially passionate about her writing for Modernize, where she empowers homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence.